Tulungagung Regent and Aide Named Suspects in Extortion Corruption Case

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has named Tulungagung Regent Gatut Sunu Wibowo (GSW) and his aide, Dwi Yoga Ambal (YOG), as suspects in an alleged criminal act of corruption involving extortion within the Tulungagung Regency Government (Pemkab) in East Java, after they were previously caught in a sting operation (OTT). KPK Deputy for Enforcement and Execution Asep Guntur Rahayu stated during a press conference at the KPK’s Red and White Building in Jakarta on Saturday evening that the two individuals were designated as suspects based on sufficient evidence in the alleged corruption offence. It is suspected that GSW received around Rp2.7 billion from extortion activities targeting officials within the Pemkab Tulungagung. “The KPK will subsequently detain the suspects for the initial 20 days from 11 to 30 April 2026. The detention will take place at the Branch State Detention Centre of the KPK’s Red and White Building,” Asep said. In addition, several other officials have been asked to sign statements of responsibility for budget management in their respective work units. He suspects that these statements were exploited by GSW to control and pressure his officials to remain loyal and obey every order from GSW. It is alleged that these officials were threatened with removal from their positions or even resignation from the civil service. “Such demands were made by GSW to at least 16 OPDs (regional device organisations) within the Pemkab Tulungagung, with varying amounts ranging from Rp15 million to Rp2.8 billion,” he said. For their actions, the suspects are charged with committing the criminal act of corruption, as stipulated in Article 12 letter e or Article 12B of Law No. 31 of 1999 on the Eradication of Criminal Acts of Corruption as amended by Law No. 20 of 2001 on the eradication of criminal acts of corruption in conjunction with Article 20 letter c of Law No. 1 of 2023 on the Criminal Code.